Paris Holidays & City Breaks

Nicknamed the City of Light, Paris is an elegant and time-honoured city with a rich cultural history and classic spirit. Everything about the French capital oozes elegance, from its world-famous landmarks to its fine dining and luxury fashion. Discover iconic artefacts at the Musée du Louvre, enjoy a picnic lunch at Luxembourg Gardens, or fall in love with the city’s moonlit landscape at the top of the Eiffel Tower. 

Paris city breaks will take you to a vibrant haven with plenty to explore. Don’t be fooled into thinking this city’s attraction revolves solely around its history – Paris has so much more to offer. From cruising the canals to floating in a hot air balloon over the city’s rooftops, adventure and relaxation await you when you visit this destination.

Things to do

Whether you’re enjoying a romantic getaway with your significant other or a cultural retreat with friends, a trip to Paris caters for one and all. Breaks to Paris mean getting lost in the rich cultural history that the city is so renowned for. From the many museums and monuments scattered across the landscape to the vibrant shopping scene and wealth of restaurants and cafes, Paris’s streets are a maze of wonder and enchantment.

Visit the museums

Paris is home to many magnificent museums which showcase evidence of the city’s illustrious history. Wander down to the Centre Pompidou, where you’ll find the Musée National d’Art Moderne. Globally renowned for its 20th and 21st-century art collections, this museum features iconic artists including Matisse, Picasso, and Warhol, to name a view.

Join a tour

If you don’t feel like uncovering the secrets of Paris solo, consider joining one of the many guided tours around the city. From gourmet French food walking tours to skip-the-line tours of the Louvre, learn about Paris with in-depth knowledge and information from the experts. And if you don’t fancy exploring by foot, take a ride on one of the hop-on, hop-off buses where you can experience panoramic views of the world’s most romantic city.

World-class attractions

When it comes to attractions in Paris, you’ll be completely spoilt for choice. This wonderful city offers an array of fabulous architecture that enchants tourists from all over the globe.

The Eiffel Tower

It doesn’t get much more iconic than the Eiffel Tower. One of the world’s most famous landmarks, this architectural masterpiece soars to an impressive height of 324 metres.

Climb to the top and witness picturesque panoramas of the city’s outstanding monuments. You’ll snap plenty of pictures from the tower alone. But be sure to save some room on your camera for other picture-perfect spots across the city, like Notre-Dame Cathedral and Montmartre.

Notre Dame

A trip to Notre Dame will simply take your breath away. This 14th-century majestic cathedral is situated right in the city’s historical and geographical heart. Head here to witness stunning gothic façade from the parvis, splendid stained-glass windows and magnificent broken arch vaults. Worried about fire damage? You can still see most of the cathedral from the outside when you visit today.

The Louvre

Located on the Right Bank of the Seine, the Louvre stands as the world’s largest museum, home to some of Western civilisation’s most renowned masterpieces. Stroll around at your leisure and witness Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Veronese’s Les Noces de Cana, among other works.

Romantic reputation

Often referred to as the ‘City of Love’, Paris has a world-renowned reputation for romance – and with good reason. The Seine snakes its way through the heart of the city, which gives it an alluring charm. You can stroll along the river and browse the street stalls for one-off buys before crisscrossing the water and stumbling across landmarks like the Champs-Élysées and the Jardins du Trocadéro.

Meander through the alleys and side streets and find a quiet corner in a cosy café or settle down for a candlelit meal for two. Whether you’re exploring the city with a partner or sharing the experience with a cherished friend, the wonder of Paris is sure to capture your heart.

Delicious cuisine

Parisian cuisine is undoubtedly something to savour while you’re in town. Whether you have a set meal in a traditional eatery or push the boat out with an opulent dinner cruise along the river, the food in Paris is sure to delight.

Dinner in Paris means a hearty steak frites or a fresh seafood plate, among other delicious dishes. Head to Le Dôme Café restaurant in Montparnasse to sample exquisite seafood platters that will tantalise your tastebuds. And for an appetiser that is sure to impress, give escargot (cooked snails) a try. Typically cooked with chicken stock, garlic butter, or wine, escargot is a beloved French delicacy celebrated by locals all over the city. For the best escargot in Paris, pay a visit to L’Escargot Montorgueil for an evening of outstanding authentic French cuisine.

Those with a sweet tooth can savour ‘baba au rhum’ after their main meal, a sumptuous sponge cake soaked in rum and filled with raisins and whipped cream. And when you’ve indulged in all you can eat, head out for some cocktails in Pigalle before seeing a show at the Moulin Rouge.

Shopping

As the global centre of fashion and style, Paris is home to a vibrant shopping scene that attracts millions of visitors year after year. From reasonably priced clothing collections at vintage shops to many designer stores, Paris shopping has something to suit every budget.

If you’re a lover of all things designer, head to the Triangle d’Or, where you can dip in and out of some of the most fabulous Haute Couture shops, including Chanel, Prada, and Dior. Or make your way to Boulevard Haussmann, where you can sample Parisian department stores selling everything from gourmet food to designer clothing ranges for men and women.

More City Breaks

We also have travel guides available for City Breaks destinations, including: Amsterdam | Budapest | Lisbon | New York | Qatar

 

Map of Paris

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25 ℃

Best time to visit: During the spring, when temperatures are mild and flowers in the city gardens start to bloom. 

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1 hour 20 minutes

Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is 23km northeast of Paris. Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) is 9km south of Paris. Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA) is located in Tillé, 85km north of Paris. 

Paris is best for...

Couples: Wander hand-in-hand down the tree-lined Champs-Élysées, stopping off for a candlelit dinner.

Foodies: Enjoy beautifully-prepared food and a glass of wine at a cosy neighbourhood bistro.

Shopaholics: Explore the city’s luxury fashion offerings on Avenue Montaigne.

Fast facts for Paris

Language: The language spoken in Paris is French.

Currency: The currency used in Paris is the Euro (€).

Local time: Paris is one hour ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) is 23km northeast of Paris. Paris-Orly Airport (ORY) is 9km south of Paris. Beauvais-Tillé Airport (BVA) is located in Tillé, 85km north of Paris. 

Flight time from UK: Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.

Tourist information: Further Paris tourist information can be found at https://en.parisinfo.com/.

 

Getting around Paris

By metro: The city’s metro system is cost-effective and easy to use. If you’re planning on a lot of sightseeing, buy a Paris Visit pass for unlimited travel on most transport networks. 

By bicycle: Cycling around the city is cheap and easy thanks to the Vélib self-service hire scheme. Simply pick up a bike from one of the Vélib stations on the roadside and park it outside another when you’re finished. 

By taxi: City taxis are identified by an illuminated Taxi Parisien sign on the roof of the car. You can hail them on the street or by calling one of the main taxi firms. 

Events in Paris

Shopping extravaganza: Bargain hunters won’t want to miss the January sales when over a thousand shops and boutiques offer discounts as high as 70%. Be at the front doors when they open, usually 10am, to catch the best deals. 

Paris carnival: In March, join locals and musicians as they parade through the streets of Paris for the annual carnival. The parade leaves Place Gambetta at 3pm and arrives at the town hall at 7pm. 

Paris marathon: Register online to take part in the Schneider Electric Marathon in April. This 26-mile race is an excellent way to take in the city’s most famous landmarks. Kids, 5-10 years old, can also join in the fun on the one mile breakfast run.

Paris weather

Temperature: Average highs of 20 (°C) in summer and lows of 5 (°C) in winter.

Best time to visit: During the spring, when temperatures are mild and flowers in the city gardens start to bloom. 

Paris experiences a typical Western European oceanic climate, with warm summers and cold winters. The rainfall is steady and moderate year-round.

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